NCAA tournament: 16 facts about the Sweet 16

In this photo taken, Monday, March 25, Florida Gulf Coast players Dajuan Graf, left, and Bernard Thompson use their "Eagle Eyes" to view the crowd during a pep rally for the men's basketball team at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., celebrating their team's to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA college basketball tournament.

This year's Sweet 16 is unlike many in years past. We've seen our share of upsets, broken records, impressive performances in the 2013 NCAA Tournament on the way to the fourth round. Here are 16 fun facts about this year's remaining teams:

1. Florida Gulf Coast makes history

Perhaps the biggest Cinderella story of the 2013 tournament, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles are the first No. 15 seed to advance to the Sweet 16. In their first tournament appearance, coach Andy Enfield and company have made not only school history, but NCAA tournament history.

2. Big Ten rules Sweet 16

The Big Ten has proven that its regular season prowess was no fluke, as four of the conference's top teams have survived, and thrived. Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State all have a chance. In fact, yes, they actually all could advance to the Final Four.

3. East keeps its shape

The East Region is the only one of the four regions to have an entirely “chalk” Sweet 16. No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Miami, No. 3 Marquette, and No. 4 Syracuse are all still alive in the East, making it the only region with the top four seeds remaining.

4. Michigan and Michigan State may matchup?

Michigan and Michigan State have appeared in the NCAA tournament 23 and 26 times, respectively, but this is the first time that both have been in the Sweet 16 together. Interestingly, they’re on opposite sides of the bracket so a finals matchup is a tasty possibility to ponder going forward.

Miami guard Shane Larkin has his shoulder looked at during practice for a regional semifinal game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Wednesday, March 27, 2013, in Washington. Miami will face Marquette on Thursday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

5. First time for state of Florida

The state of Florida one-ups Michigan with three Sweet 16 teams: Miami, Florida, and Florida Gulf Coast. This is the first time that the state of Florida has had three teams in the Sweet 16.

6. La Salle and Wichita State make history

The La Salle Explorers, in their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1992, have won three games to appear in the Sweet 16. They defeated Boise State in the “First Four” before taking out No. 4 seeded Kansas State and No. 12 seeded Ole Miss. This is the first time La Salle has made it into the Sweet 16 since 1955 and the Explorers will be part of history when they participate in the first-ever No. 9 vs No. 13 matchup against Wichita State.

7. Thirteen teams are former champions

Thirteen of the 16 teams remaining have won a national championship. The only three teams that remain trophy-less are Florida Gulf Coast, Wichita State, and Miami. The most recent NCAA champion in this year’s field is Duke, which last won in 2010.

8. Most Sweet 16 appearances

Speaking of the (Blue) Devils, Duke leads this year’s group of teams in total Sweet 16 appearances with 23 (including this year). The Kansas Jayhawks are making their 20th appearance, while Louisville is making its 19th.

9. Betting Odds

Of the remaining sixteen teams, Louisville has the best odds of winning it all at 3-1. Florida Gulf Coast has the worst odds at 50-1.

10. Potential highest Final Four seed

If either Oregon, La Salle or Florida Gulf Coast make it out of their respective region, they will be highest seed ever to reach the Final Four. The highest seed to ever reach the Final Four was a No. 11 seed, most recently done by VCU in 2011.

11. Four of the five highest paid coaches

While John Calipari, head coach of the disappointing Kentucky Wildcats, is the NCAA’s highest paid coach, the next four highest paid coaches are all in this year’s Sweet 16: Kansas’ Bill Self, Louisville’s Rick Pitino, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, and Florida’s Billy Donovan.

12. School size separation

Of the remaining teams, La Salle is the smallest school with an undergraduate enrollment of just under 5,000, while Ohio State is the largest school still alive with an undergraduate enrollment of 56,387.

13. Eight familiar faces

Eight of this year’s Sweet 16 teams were in the same position in 2012. Ohio State, Marquette, Michigan State, Kansas, Syracuse, Florida, Louisville, and Indiana are all in the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year.

14. Three Final Four teams are back

Coincidentally, three teams out of last year’s Final Four are still alive in this year’s Sweet 16. Kansas, Louisville, and Ohio State were all in last year’s Final Four, with Kentucky being the only excluded team in 2013.

Duke's Ryan Kelly, left, and Rasheed Sulaimon embrace in the final minute of a third-round game against Creighton in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2013, in Philadelphia. Duke won 66-50. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

15. Four coaches make their first Sweet 16 appearances

Four coaches have made their first career Sweet 16 appearances. La Salle’s John Giannini, Florida Gulf Coast’s Andy Enfield, Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall, and Oregon’s Dana Altman have all never gotten teams past the third round of the NCAA tournament in their careers.

16. Top two teams in NCAA tournament winning percentage

Duke is currently second all-time in NCAA tournament winning percentage at .750. Who’s above the Blue Devils? Florida Gulf Coast, who has won their only two NCAA tournament games this year and have a perfect 1.000 winning percentage.